So what's yer name, kid? Real name, I mean--first an' last. I gotta keep accurate records or the city gets on me back, but I ain't gonna share 'em wit no one.

Huh? Yeah sure Kloppman.. umm it's Brian, Brian Roberto Russo. I think my first name is a kind of joke in the family.

Ya gots a nickname? How'd ya get it?

Well I don't remember exactly, think I was hanging around with Race and he was shouting You Bum Let's Go, and I didn't exactly give em a name at first, my English wasn't that great back then. Bumlets... I keep that to myself mostly.

Know how old ya are? When's yer birthday? The boys all likes to chip in an' make ya feel special. By which I mean, they likes any excuse for a party.

Ah me? I'm seventeen? October 31st.

Now describe yer appearance for me. Try an' be detailed. My mem'ry ain't what it useta be, an' if I hears about a vicious killer on the loose, I wanna be able to check my records an' make the connection.

Well okay if you need it, I don't have anything to hide. I'm, about-- five foot eight give or take. Not really tall but not short either. My hair is black and it's a bit longer than most, I just forget to trim it and give up. Plus I think it plays back to gypsy roots I guess. My eyes are dark and brown , they angle a little bit. And my skin is a bit dark, it's nothing really.. I just tell people I tan well is all. I carry around a broomstick a lot, I got into the habit when I was getting into a lot of fights when I first got here, remember?

Got any odder job 'sides sellin' papes? Legal or illegal, I ain't gonna squeal on ya.

Nah I don't do much. I write some things, I figure philosophy is kind of the way you go when you live off of a dime a day and meals are scarce. Heh, I know, it's nothing really big or as great as the track but I figure if I make a good livin. Mostly just the papes, and some boxing here and there. Though I got called a dirty gyspy fighter last time.

All right, time for the big one. What kinda person are ya, kid? How d'you treat odders? How d'you treat yerself? We gets all kinds here, so be honest--I just wanna know what to expect.

I guess I treat them alright, I mean-- I'm a good friend and a loyal one if you need it. I'll stand with my friends through thick and thin, and I'm not the kind to run away from a fight. Put up your fists if your mouth does too much walking. I'm kind of a quiet guy most of the time, I keep to myself and read but the guys don't really mind much. I'm good to me, Klop. I don't intend to die at twenty in a blaze of glory, you know? Even if it's in my blood.

Got any hobbies? Whaddaya do wit yer spare time?

Reading and writing, I guess. I drink some and get a bit crazy with the guys but I don't get the kind of girls that Blink or Specs do and if my sister saw the way we talk about them she'd skin me. She's pretty good with knives. Uh, I do some knife tricks when I'm bored...

How 'bout vices or bad habits? Smokin', drinkin', gamblin'? I want 'cha to promise to keep 'em outside the house.

I smoke but not a ton and I drink with the boys. Gamblin' I'm good at. I don't tell them though, better when they don't.

Got any fam'ly or friends 'round here? Or enemies, for that matter? Tell me who ya knows in the area.

Ah, si, well I have an older sister named Rosa. She lives in the Bowery, I go and see her from time to time. Everyone is pretty much my friend, I don't really have enemies but maybe I should start getting them. Haha, yeah don't say that to anyone.

An' maybe a special someone? I got a special set o' rules when it comes to that sorta t'ing.

Huh? Well I know about that I mean. Yeah no, not a special girl. It's... yeah.. I used to see this girl, you know, but she uh, went back home and I haven't seen much of her since.

Fin'ly, every boy's favorite question... *chuckles darkly* What can ya tell me 'bout yer past? Where'd ya grow up, what brought ya here, an' what happened in between?

-sigh- Alright, alright. So my family, they come from Spain. Yeah, not Mexico or anything, we come from Spain, but well, my parents are gypsies, and yeah, both of them are still alive. I was born in Spain, we moved to the city when I was about six or seven, my parents probably bribed their way onto the boat or something. It wasn't exactly a great trip, my sister got sick on the way over, my younger brother did too. They liked the city though, they could make money easier so we ended up here. My folks don't do normal work, so I know all about fotune telling and other things. Yeah, well, I had to learn English to sell papers so I'd hang around with the other boys around here, without them really paying much attention to me, and I learned English that way.

Guess I just never left? My sister got married so I ended up just hanging around here and been here ever since. Learned to read from the nuns, and learned better English from the guys. I teach them some things that I know, you know, like fortune telling and how to get in and out without getting caught. It's not a bad thing.. uhh, anything else Kloppman? I'm late...

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Profile By: Jeanna/Picks

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